Clip on visor

ABSTRACT

A visor is provided having a mechanical fastener for releasably engaging the bridge portion of the primary frames. The visor can extend beyond and around the primary frames. The visor can have a malleable border around the edge of the visor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a visor for attachment to spectacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The literature teaches numerous methods for attaching auxiliaryeyeglasses to primary eyeglasses. Magnetically attached auxiliaryeyeglass attachments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,103 to MeekerU.S. Pat. No. 5,416,537 to Sadler, U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,054 to Chao, U.S.Pat. No. 5,975,961 to Ku, Canadian patent application No. 2,180,714 toChao, Canadian patent application No. 2,235,897 to Chao, Canadian patentapplication No. 2,236,025 to Ku, Canadian patent application No.2,223,088 to Madison, U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,207 to Chao, Canadian patentNo. 2,223,295 to Chao, German patent application No. DE 43 16 698 toKarp, PCT application No. WO 026718 to Zelman, Canadian patentapplication No. 2,235,917 to Chao, U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,611 to Ku, U.S.Pat. No. 6,542,177 to Nishioka, PCT application no. WO 9009611 toStemme, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,611 to Ku. International patentpublication no. WO90/09611 to Stemme also teaches auxiliary glasses witha magnet located on the auxiliary bridge which extends backwardly to theprimary bridge, which is also equipped with a magnet corresponding tothe auxiliary magnet.

The insertion of magnets into such small items is difficult and costly.Also, there are several other drawbacks associated with the use ofmagnets in eyeglasses. As the strength of the magnets weakens, thesecurity of attachment will become ineffective.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,864 to the present inventor, Ng, teaches amagnet-free method of attaching auxiliary lenses that provides for clipsat various places around the outer perimeter of the auxiliary lenses.The clips engage the primary spectacles.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/699,391 filed Oct. 31, 2000 by thepresent inventor, Ng, teaches an auxiliary spectacle apparatus whereinauxiliary lenses have a mechanical fastener on the bridge for releasablyengaging the bridge portion of the primary frames in a manner whichprovides security of attachment in all directions. U.S. Pat. No.6,264,323 to Chao also teaches an auxiliary spectacle wherein auxiliarylenses have a mechanical fastener on the bridge for releasably engagingthe bridge portion of the primary frames.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,407 to Sheffield teaches a prescription lensattachable to a safety glass frame. The safety glass frame is providedwith a center cross pin and indentation on an inner surface of thesafety glass frame. A prescription frame configured to be attached tothe inside of the safety frame includes separate prescription lenses anda central clip that clips onto the cross pin of the safety glass frame.The outer ends of the prescription frame are provided with angularlocking ends that are pressed into the indentation on the safety glassframe. Thus, the prescription lens frame is held onto the safety glassframe between the safety glass frame and the person's eyes. However,this configuration requires that special prescription glasses must beprepared, which glasses can not be used without the special safetyglasses.

It would be desirable to have an auxiliary eye protection apparatuswhich attaches to primary spectacles and which did not rely on magnets,and did not require an auxiliary bridge. Such a system should allow forthe auxiliary eye protection to extend over and around the primarylenses, the primary frames, and the primary bridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a a spectacle apparatus, comprising: (a)a visor adapted for fitting on a primary spectacle, said visor having acentral portion corresponding in location to a bridge on said primaryspectacle; (b) a projection extending reward from said central portionof said visor, said projection configured to have an interference fitwith said bridge on said primary spectacle; and (c) a protrusionextending from said projection, said protrusion configured to have aninterference fit with said bridge on said primary spectacle, saidprotrusion and said projection configured to be releasably received bysaid bridge on said primary spectacle; wherein said visor is configuredto extend laterally beyond said primary spectacles.

In one embodiment the visor is configured to extend rearward around saidprimary spectacles.

In another embodiment the visor further comprises a malleable border.The malleable border may be located at an edge of said central portionof said visor.

The invention may further comprise a second projection, said secondprojection configured to have an interference fit with said bridge onsaid primary spectacle. The projection and said second projection may beconfigured to have an interference fit with said bridge on said primaryspectacle at respectively opposite sides of said bridge. Therespectively opposite sides of said bridge may be located at top andbottom of said bridge. In another embodiment, the respectively oppositesides of said bridge are located at left and right of said a verticalmember located on said bridge. The second projection may have a secondprotrusion extending from said second projection, said second protrusionconfigured to have an interference fit with said bridge on said primaryspectacle. The projection and said second projection may comprise aplurality of projections and a pair of second projections, each arrangedin parallel.

The projection may be elastic. The projection may be formed integrallywith said visor.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises: (a) a visor adapted forfitting on a primary spectacle, said visor having a central portioncorresponding in location to a bridge on said primary spectacle; (b) aprojection extending reward from said central portion of said visor,said projection configured to have an interference fit with said bridgeon said primary spectacle; (c) a protrusion extending from saidprojection, said protrusion configured to have an interference fit withsaid bridge on said primary spectacle, said protrusion and saidprojection are configured to be releasably received by said bridge onsaid primary spectacle; and (d) a malleable border on an edge of saidvisor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a three quarter view of an assembled primary spectacle andvisor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of disassembled visor and primary spectaclesaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a clip on mechanism according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a three quarter view of an alternative embodiment of a visoraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 relative to thelocation of primary spectacles.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a disassembled visor and primary spectacle ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal cut away view of an alternative clip onmechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cut away view of a further alternative clip onmechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cut away view of a further alternative clip onmechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cut away view of a further alternative clip onmechanism according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail with reference to the appended drawings, in which like elementsare denoted by like reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 1, the spectacle apparatus of the present invention hasan visor 20 for releasably attaching to a primary spectacle 32. FIG. 1shows the apparatus in an assembled form. FIG. 2 shows a front view of avisor 20 alone. Visor 20 comprises a visor body 22 which is atransparent, semi-transparent or translucent material. Visor 20 has aclip mechanism 60 which is secured to the rear of the visor 20 by meansof rivets 72. Generally either 2 or 4 rivets will be used to secure theclip mechanism 60 to the visor body 22.

The visor 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 also has a lower border 24 and anupper border 26. The borders may be made of a soft, pliable material toprovide protection of the wearer's face in the event that the visor isaccidentally pushed against the face of the visor wearer. The border canbe made of foam rubber or the like. This is particularly useful wherethe visor is worn to protect the wearer, for example, during sports orwork activities. Alternately, the borders could be provided merely foresthetic purposes, for example, to add color to the visor.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the primary spectacle 32 is configured to beworn on the head of the wearer by means of the stems 44, which fit overa wearer ears to support the spectacles. Primary spectacle 32 includes aprimary bridge 34 which may optionally have indentations 40. In theembodiment shown, two indentations 40 are present, one at the top andone at the bottom of the ridge. The primary bridge 34 and indentation 40are configured to releasably engage with the clip mechanism 60.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the clip mechanism 60 has an upperprojection 62 and a lower projection 64. Projections 62 and 64 have aprotrusion 66 which is configured to releasably fit into indentation 40.In the embodiment shown, two protrusions 66 are present, one at the topand one at the bottom of the ridge. In other embodiments, theprotrusions could be configured to extend over and behind the primarybridge, as discussed below.

Turning to FIG. 4, eyeglasses 32 includes a primary bridge 34 which ismedial within the frame and which extends between and connects primarylenses. The primary spectacle 32 provides retaining structure forprimary lenses. Primary lenses may be clear or slightly tinted glass orplastic material. One or both primary lenses may be shaped to thewearer's visual deficiencies.

Visor 20 is configured to cover both of the primary lenses. The shapeand size of the visor 20 is configured to cover and extend beyond theeyeglasses 32. One use for the visor 20 is to provide protection to thewearer from sunlight and other vision-damaging elements. Therefore, thevisor 20 may be tinted, and may also include a material therein or acoating thereon to filter ultraviolet light or other specificwavelengths of light.

Visor 20 comprises a clip mechanism 60 which provides a retaining meansfor visor 20. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4, clip mechanism 60has clip rivets 72 which terminate in end 74. When assembled, cliprivets 72 extend horizontally through holes in lenses 50. End 74provides security of attachment of visor body 20 to clip mechanism 60.End 74 may be present during assembly of lenses 50 to clip mechanism 60,or it may be formed or partially deformed upon assembly to increase thesecurity of attachment.

Clip mechanism 60 may be made of any flexible material with a plasticmemory. In embodiments of the invention, clip mechanism 60 is made withPolyflex™ (Hyundai Optical Co., Inchon City, Korea) or memory plastic.Memory plastic and Polyflex™ are lightweight plastics that can be bentor stretched without losing their original shape. Polyflex™ isparticularly resilient in this regard. By use of such materials, theclipping apparatus between the clip mechanism 60 and primary bridge 34may be used repeatedly without any deformation of shape or degradationof security of attachment. Such materials are also particularly suitablefor the mechanical assembly of clip mechanism 60 and visor 20.

Upon assembly of clip mechanism 60 and visor body 22, lens rivet 72 isinserted through a hole 52 in each lens. By the use of Polyflex ormemory plastic, this insertion may be carried out without risk of damageto the lenses. End 74 of FIG. 4 is configured such that it is greater indiameter than its corresponding hole when not deformed. The use of suchmaterials also allows for the insertion of end 74 through thecorresponding hole, by temporary deformation of end 74. Upon beinginserted through the hole, end 74 reestablishes, by plastic memory, itsoriginal diameter, thus securing lens 50 to clip mechanism 60, in aninterference fit. The security of attachment may be increased bytreating end 74 with a glue or other fixative after assembly, or bytreating end 74 to compression forces which are great enough topermanently deform end 74, partially spreading it against the rearsurface or lens 50 immediately around hole 52.

In another embodiment, upon assembly of clip mechanism 60 and visor body22, lens rivet 72 is inserted through its hole and secured with a cap.The security of attachment may be increased by treating the cap with aglue, cement, or other fixative during assembly, or by treating the capto compression forces which are great enough to deform end 74, spreadingit outwards within the orifices.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show another embodiment of the visor of the invention. Inthis embodiment, a clip mechanism 60 is continuously formed with visorbody 22 of visor. Thus, no rivets or other attachment means arenecessary to secure the visor 20 to primary eyeglasses 32. As seen inFIG. 9, the embodiment shown in these figures has a pair of projections62 which are received by primary bridge 34.

As best seen in FIG. 4, primary bridge 34 has a ridge front face 38which forms a tight fit with clip mechanism 60 when the auxiliary bridgeis assembled with the primary spectacles. This tight fit preventsrotation of the bridge off its vertical axis, thus preventing rattling,particularly when the assembled apparatus of the invention is being usedby a wearer during vigorous activity.

Also seen in FIG. 4, ridge front face 38 extends parallel, and forms atight fit with clip mechanism 60 which also extends parallel, when theauxiliary bridge is assembled with the primary spectacles. Again, thistight fit prevents rotation of the bridge off its vertical axis, thuspreventing rattling.

As best seen in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, primary bridge 34 has a ridgevarious faces 38 which forms a tight fit with clip mechanism 60 when thebridge is assembled with the visor 20. This tight fit prevents rotationof the bridge off its horizontal axis, thus preventing rattling. As bestseen in FIG. 4, a curvature exists in the shape of primary bridge 34which corresponds to a curvature in the shape of clip mechanism 60. Whenassembled, these corresponding curvatures form a tight fit which furtherprevents rotation of the bridge off its horizontal axis.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the projections 62 and 64may be opposite each other on a horizontal plane (i.e. right and left,rather than upper and lower). In this embodiment, primary bridge 34 hasa post 68 which is configured to receive the projections for securingthe visor to the primary eyeglasses.

By using the multiple interference fits described herein between theauxiliary and primary bridges, auxiliary spectacles 20 are less likelyto collide with primary lenses during physical activity. This preventsan annoying rattling noise between the auxiliary spectacles 20 andprimary spectacles 42 and also reduces the risk of scratching orotherwise damaging the lenses by reducing contact between primary lensesand auxiliary spectacles 20. The risk of accidental detachment of theauxiliary spectacles is also greatly reduced. A bump or collision whichdislodges other, known apparatus will not give rise to the presentauxiliary spectacles detaching from the primary spectacles, because ofthe multiple interference fits described herein.

When the fastening apparatus of the invention is engaged, visor body 22are located proximal to primary lenses, so that a minimum amount oflight or debris may enter the between the respective lenses.

Because projections 62, 64 project away from visor 20, and primarybridge 34 project outwardly from the eyeglasses 32, no recesses arerequired in the frames, which would weaken the frames. Furthermore, byavoiding the use of recesses in the fastening apparatus, one is providedwith an auxiliary spectacle which can be easily removed and replaced onthe primary spectacles, without any flexing or bending of the frames orbridges and without engaging auxiliary spectacle 20 at difficult anglesin relation to primary spectacle 32.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, protrusions 66 arebeveled. Beveling the protrusions facilitates the ease of attaching andremoving the auxiliary spectacles from the primary spectacles.

In the embodiment shown, the lateral shape of projections 62 and 64 andcorresponding lateral shape of primary bridge 34 prevents horizontalmovement of the assembled apparatus. However, in another embodimentsshown in FIGS. 7 and 9, horizontal movement could be prevented bysupplying two of each of upper and lower protrusions set laterally apartand corresponding to primary bridge 34.

As best seen in FIG. 4, primary bridge 34 has at least one indentation40 on primary bridge 34. Indentations 40 can be located at the top andbottom of primary bridge 34. In other embodiments, only one indentation40 may be present. In a further embodiment, a single indentation 40 maycomprise a hole extending vertically through primary bridge 34.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a securemethod of attaching a sport or safety visor to primary spectacleswithout sacrificing the ease with which one can remove and replace thesafety visor, and without having to remove the primary eyeglasses.Removal and replacement can be done with one hand, without the use ofawkward angles of engagement and disengagement.

The use of a mechanical means of securing attachment, as opposed to amagnetic means, provides significant benefits. First, in producing theapparatus, the auxiliary bridge and the primary frame may be cast from adesired material, and is then ready for assembly. No drilling orpuncturing is required to produce holes for insertion of magnets. Nomagnets or other additional pieces are required, and no fixative isrequired to install the means for securing attachment. As the apparatusfor securing attachment of the present invention is a “unibody” design,the apparatus will not become loose or fall out with the passage of timeand the weathering effect of changes in temperature and humidity.

Another benefit of the present visor is that no lens frames or bridgeare required for the visor, thus decreasing the weight of the auxiliaryspectacles and decreasing the cost of producing the auxiliaryspectacles.

The above-detailed description with reference to the illustrations isconsidered to be illustrative and not restrictive in character.Modifications and variations on the embodiments described may be madewithin the scope of the invention. For example, the visor body 22 mayalso be used for magnification of vision. In this case, the visor body22 would be fashioned in the same manner as a magnifying glass and fitonto the primary lenses, which may or may not be prescription lenses.The visor 20 would then enlarge small or intricate details to make themmore readily observable, so as to reduce the strain on the eyesight ofthe wearer. The visor 20 may also have decorations thereon to be viewedby observers of the wearer, to enhance the appearance of the lenses orfor amusement purposes.

In another embodiment, the present invention also contemplates primaryspectacles 42 which contain no primary lens 18. This embodiment would beuseful in the circumstances wherein the user desires to remove andreplace the visor body 22, but does not require the primary lenses forassisting vision. For example, this embodiment would be useful in thecontext of welding, wherein very dark lenses are required during thewelding, but between welding, it may be desirable to have no lenses on.As another example, where an individual suffers from a visual defectwhich makes reading difficult, it may be desirable to have no lensesexcept when reading.

It is to be understood that only the preferred embodiments have beenshown, and that modifications thereof would be readily apparent to oneskilled in the art. Therefore, the true scope and spirit of theinvention resides in the appended claims and their legal equivalents,rather than by the given examples.

1. A spectacle apparatus comprising: (a) a visor adapted for fitting on a primary spectacle, said visor having a central portion corresponding in location to a bridge on said primary spectacle; (b) one projection extending from said visor, said one projection extending rearward from said central portion of said visor, said projection configured to have an interference fit with said bridge on said primary spectacle; and (c) a protrusion extending from said projection, said protrusion configured to have an interference fit with said bridge on said primary spectacle, said protrusion and said projection configured to be releasably received by said bridge on said primary spectacle.
 2. A spectacle apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said visor is configured to extend rearward around said primary spectacles.
 3. A spectacle apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said visor further comprises a malleable border.
 4. A spectacle apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said malleable border is located at an edge of said central portion of said visor. 5-10. (canceled)
 11. A spectacle apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projection is elastic.
 12. A spectacle apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projection is formed integrally with said visor. 13-20. (canceled)
 21. A spectacle apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protrusion extends downward to form an interference fit with a rear face of said bridge on said primary spectacle.
 22. A spectacle apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said protrusion further extends forward to form an interference fit with an indentation on said rear face of said bridge on said primary spectacle.
 23. A spectacle apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said protrusion further extends forward to form an interference fit with a lower face of said bridge on said primary spectacle. 